MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- On a chilly, overcast day, competitors trekked through the sludgy, water-filled golf course from one hole to the next during the One Best Ball of Two Ball Golf Tournament at the Torii Pines Golf Course here Feb. 27, counting on each other for the best score possible.
First place for the lowest net score in the Best One Ball of Two Ball Golf Tournament went to Wayne Gilmore and Bryan Rupple with a score of 67.
Teams of two golfed all 18 holes together, taking the best score of the two players for each hole and contributing it to their final score.
“That way if one person sucks during one hole, they still have a chance of doing well in the tournament,” said Paul Hahn, the golf course manager at the Torri Pines Golf Course.
Each team also had its handicap factored in to its score to make the playing field more even.
Service members, civilians, males and females all participated in the event. As each golfer strategically placed themselves behind the golf ball before swinging their club, team members and bystanders cheered them on.
“Come on, Mami!” said Wayne Gilmore as he cheered on his wife, Mami Fujimoto, who was on an opposing team.
She focused, swung back her club, struck the white, dimpled ball and watched it fly across the swamp-like course.
Fellow competitors clapped for the well-executed shot and continued on through the course.
As participants finished up the 18th hole, they rounded up to tally up their scores. Some showed up looking confident, while others showed up looking a little disappointed, but once they all gathered together, the jokes, laughter and conversation began.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Hahn. “They all come out, have a good time and talk a bunch of trash to each other.”
Most of the participants are regular golfers and compete in the monthly golf tournaments.
“These guys are die-hard golfers,” said Hahn.
Once the scores were tallied, the winners were announced.
Only one point behind first place, Geno and Kenta Johnston took second place with a score of 68.
Mami Fujimoto and Tomoko Harrell were not far behind in third place with a score of 70.
Jerry Woods and Wayne Magrisi were able to manage the lowest gross score, the score without their handicap factored in, with a score of 71.
There are more tournaments and events to come, including clinics for beginner golfers.
For more information, call the Torii Pines Golf Course at 253-3402.